Park-goers in Ho Chi Minh City could not feel completely at ease since they had to keep an eye on their vehicles parked on sidewalks or by the roadside, due to the shortfall of parking lots facing most parks citywide.

Data from the municipal Department of Construction showed that the city houses 424 parks, with only 33 having parking lots, equivalent to 7.8 percent.

This means more than 92 percent of the parks in the southern metropolis do not have parking spaces.

The parks without parking lots are mostly located in residential areas and are small, making them inappropriate to house parking locations.

The construction department attributed the lack of parking space to the unavailability of guidelines for using public assets at parks, resulting in some park management units unable to arrange parking staff.

In addition, some park management units face obstacles to set up parking space, since the parks have no detailed zoning plans, the department added.

Given the shortage, many city dwellers opted to park their vehicles on sidewalks, along the roadside, which poses a threat to traffic safety and can cause traffic snarls.

Around some major parks such as Hoang Van Thu Park in Tan Binh District, Bach Dang Wharf Park and 30/4 (April 30) Park in District 1, a host of motorbikes were found to be parked by the roadside.

Park-goers had to keep an eye on their vehicles while sitting in the park.

Many even risked parking their motorbikes next to No Parking signs and those warning of vehicle theft.

Some park-goers took along with them anti-theft chains and locks to protect their vehicles, but they could not fully enjoy their time at the park as they had to watch out for vehicle thieves.

30/4 (April 30) Park is one of the favorite destinations of local people and tourists in downtown Ho Chi Minh City but it does not have any parking lots. Park-goers usually park their vehicles at parking lots in the nearby Reunification Palace. However, lots of people parked their vehicles right by the roadside and sat on a nearby park bench to look after their vehicles. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Many motorbikes are seen parked on the sidewalk at Hoang Van Thu Park in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, August 27, 2023. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Some park-goers took along with them anti-theft chains and locks to protect their vehicles parked on the sidewalk at Hoang Van Thu Park in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, August 27, 2023. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A warning sign reading “Lock your vehicles. Beware of thieves” is hung on a tree at Hoang Van Thu Park in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, August 27, 2023. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A man is seen keeping an eye on his motorbike parked by the roadside while sitting at 30/4 (April 30) Park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Bach Dang Wharf Park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City also faces a shortfall of parking spaces, while a parking lot next to the park is always full, resulting in many park-goers parking their motorbikes by the roadside. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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